Adam Schefter made an interesting prediction about the TJ Watt contract situation on Wednesday.
Schefter was a guest on “The Pat McAfee Show” and was asked about Watt, who did not attend the Pittsburgh Steelers’ mandatory minicamp this month. Watt is entering the final year of the 4-year, $121 million contract he had signed with the team in 2021. He has made it clear that he wants a new deal, and he also has said that he wants to remain with the Steelers.
“I think TJ Watt is going to get a nice, strong, healthy deal,” Schefter said on the show. “And I think at some point in time, the two sides will be able to figure out a way to get this done. I can’t imagine that TJ Watt wouldn’t be there for the start of training camp, that Pittsburgh would not get a deal one. … I think these two sides will be able to figure it out.”
Schefter was asked specifically whether Watt might surpass the contract Myles Garrett received from the Browns. Garrett received $40 million per year from Cleveland and became the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. Schefter wouldn’t go that far, and rattled off some statistics suggesting Garrett is performing better than Watt.
Watt turns 31 in October. He had 61 tackles and 11.5 sacks with 6 forced fumbles in 17 games last season. Garrett had 47 tackles, 14 sacks and 22 tackles for a loss in 17 games last season.
Schefter’s thoughts on the matter seem to reflect Mike Tomlin’s. The Steelers head coach made clear that he is not worried about Watt’s contract situation.
